No, Luke Littler is not playing in Players Championship 9 and 10 — the double-header taking place on April 13 and 14, 2026, at the Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
The entry list for these two events has been confirmed, and the reigning World Champion is absent once again. He is joined on the sidelines by several other big names including Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, Ryan Searle, and Gian van Veen.
(Note: There can be some confusion with the exact numbering of events, as the calendar has shifted over time. The upcoming Wigan double-header is officially Players Championship 9 and 10, even if some previews or fan discussions refer to them differently.)
### Why is the teenage superstar sitting this one out?
At just 19 years old, Luke Littler has been very honest about his mixed feelings toward the non-televised floor events. He has openly described the ProTour days as tough — involving long travel, early starts, best-of-11 legs that don’t always fire him up, and a schedule that risks burnout for a young player carrying the sport on his shoulders.
After claiming his second World Championship title earlier this year and performing strongly in the Premier League nights he has featured in, Littler and his team appear to be choosing quality over quantity. He has hinted in interviews that he doesn’t enjoy every part of the ProTour grind and would rather focus his energy where it matters most.
This selective approach isn’t entirely new for top players. Others like van Gerwen have managed their calendars carefully in the past to stay fresh for the biggest stages. For Littler, protecting his long-term health and performance makes a lot of sense given how much expectation is placed on him.
He has already skipped multiple ProTour stops this season, including earlier events, showing this is a deliberate strategy rather than a one-off decision.
### What does this mean for the Wigan double-header?
The Robin Park Tennis Centre will still host two full days of competitive darts, but the field looks noticeably thinner without the usual heavyweight names. Players like Nathan Aspinall, Peter Wright, Ian White, Luke Woodhouse, and a strong group of in-form tour card holders will be battling it out for the £15,000 winner’s prize on each day.
With fewer of the absolute top stars in action, this creates real opportunities for mid-tier players and surprise packages to claim silverware and valuable ranking points. That unpredictability is one of the things that keeps the ProTour exciting — anyone can have a hot weekend and make a big move on the Order of Merit.
For fans based in the North West, it remains a solid chance to catch live darts in a venue that has hosted several ProTour events. The atmosphere in Wigan is usually buzzing, especially when local favourites or rising talents step up.
### The bigger picture for Littler in 2026
Littler continues to look like the most exciting talent in darts. His performances in the Premier League have been full of high averages, spectacular 170 checkouts, and that unmistakable confidence. Skipping some floor events hasn’t damaged his status as world number one or dimmed his star power — if anything, it makes his appearances in the major televised tournaments even more anticipated.
Whether he returns for later Wigan stops (there are more scheduled further into the year) remains to be seen. He still needs to keep an eye on his overall ProTour position for qualification purposes, but the clear message so far is that a lighter, more focused schedule is the priority.
Fans are divided on the topic. Some fully support the smart management of his young career: “He’s only 19 — let him avoid burnout and peak for the big events.” Others feel disappointed, wanting to see “The Nuke” in action as often as possible and arguing that the grassroots side of the ProTour misses his presence.
### Final thoughts
To answer the headline directly: No, Luke Littler will not be throwing in Wigan for Players Championship 9 and 10. He is sticking to his selective 2026 schedule, saving his best for the Premier League nights and the major televised tournaments where he continues to shine brightest.
The darts caravan moves on regardless. The Wigan double-header will deliver plenty of quality action and potential upsets, while we’ll almost certainly see Littler back on our screens very soon — probably producing another moment of magic that reminds everyone why he remains the biggest name in the game.
If you’re lucky enough to be heading to Wigan this week, enjoy the darts! Who do you fancy to take advantage of the missing big guns — Aspinall, Wright, or maybe an unexpected name? Drop your predictions in the comments.
And what’s your take on Littler’s approach to the ProTour? Smart career management at a young age, or do you think he should be playing more regularly? Let’s get the debate going below — the more opinions the better!